Are the lipos and new esc worth the money????? That's a good question. To be perfectly honest, if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't even have purchased the Magister. IMOA, I don't think it's a good starter plane for electrics. Just for the simple fact that it's so underpowered and to get it to perform like the .40 size glow plane I used to own, you have to spend a lot more money on lipos and an esc. I'm already into it for $$$, so what the hell. This is my first experience with electrics (former slimer) and this has all been a learning experience for me. Plus I'm teaching my 11 year old stepson to fly on it. If your new to flying, I probably wouldn't recommend lipos and an esc. It requires a specific charger for the lipos which I happened to have already and the lipos are fricken expensive. The plane however is a drastically better flyer with the lipos. If that's what you're looking for and you have the cash and support equipment, then go for it. No upgrades on this motor, I'm done throwing money into this plane. A brushless motor would cost between $70-100 plus a brushless esc would be at least another $100. Too much $$$ for this plane. Next plane I get will be a 3D park flyer. Smaller and easier to fly in tighter spaces. Also less expensive. The Jeti Jes030 is for brushed motors only! Best of luck to ya! Take care.